A new study conducted by a risk management firm suggests that where you live may affect your chances of being involved in a serious auto accident. The study examined accident rates of motorists with homes near a variety of businesses and landmarks, analyzing 15 million insurance policies and 2 million claims. Results indicated that drivers who live within a mile of a church are the safest. They are ten percent less likely than other drivers to be involved in a serious collision.

The study found that drivers living within a mile of a restaurant are 30 percent more likely to be in an accident, while those living near an elementary school are in more accidents than drivers who live near liquor stores. Daniel Finnegan, the chief executive of Quality Planning Corporation, which conducted the study said, "By and large, your risks go way up when you are living closer to busy gathering points."

—Associated Press (USA Today), December 15, 2005, Does living by church lower your risk of a car crash? Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

The busier the intersection, the greater the risk you'll be in an accident. Risk increases in direct proportion to exposure to danger. For drivers, that means you need to remain alert in dangerous situations. The same is true in our walk with the Lord. We must exercise caution when we are exposed to temptation, because Satan wants you to crash and burn.

1 Peter 5:8 (PhillipsNT) "Be self-controlled and vigilant always, for your enemy the devil is always about, prowling like a lion roaring for its prey. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and remember that the strain is the same for all your fellow-Christians in other parts of the world. And after you have borne these sufferings a very little while, God himself (from whom we receive all grace and who has called you to share his eternal splendor through Christ) will make you whole and secure and strong. All power is his forever and ever, amen!"

Matthew 9:29 (HCSB) "Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'Let it be done for you according to your faith!'"

The Japanese civilians taken hostage in Iraq returned home to Japan recently. Their return was not met with the warmth of yellow ribbons, but rather with the disapproving stare of the Japanese nation. After bowing deeply and making a formal apology to the nation, the former hostages went into hiding, becoming prisoners inside their own homes.

When they arrived at the airport, protesters held signs reading, "You got what you deserve." On a website, someone else wrote, "You are Japan's shame." The prevailing attitude was that the hostages had "caused trouble" for everyone. The government even planned to charge the three $6,000 in airfare for the flight home.

In Japan, deep-rooted rules for behavior run within the culture. These rules have governed the island nation for centuries, and tend to appear in a moment of crisis. The former hostage's transgression was to ignore a government advisory against traveling to Iraq. Their sin was to defy what the Japanese term, "okami", literally, "what is higher."

Though one person started a nonprofit organization to help Iraqi street children, and the other two were freelance journalists, their pursuit of individual goals by defying the government and causing trouble for the nation was unforgivable.

A psychiatrist who examined the three twice since their return said the stress they are enduring now is "much heavier" than what they experienced during their captivity in Iraq.

Though there was no praise from their own nation, United States Secretary of State Colin Powell offered some official words of praise. Powell said, "Well everybody should understand the risk they are taking by going into dangerous places. But if nobody was willing to take a risk, then we would never move forward. We would never move our world forward." Powell added, "And so I'm pleased that these Japanese citizens were willing to put themselves at risk for a greater good, for a better purpose. And the Japanese people should be very proud that they have citizens like this willing to do that."

—The New York Times, Freed From Captivity, Japanese Return to More Pain, Norimitsu Onishi. April 22, 2004, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Though these three former hostages are suffering for their decisions, they illustrate an important truth about serving Jesus. Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:37-39)

LeBron James graduated from high school a rich man. The high school senior, and expected first pick in the 2003 NBA draft signed a multiyear deal with shoe and apparel maker, Nike, worth over $90 million, a month before he was expected to selected to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nike beat out other rivals to sign the 18 year-old who is considered a possible successor to Michael Jordan both on the basketball court and advertising circles.

The deal James received dwarfs any of the previous initial contracts given to a young, unproven player. When Michael Jordan signed his first contract with Nike in 1984, it was $2.5 million dollars over five years, though Jordan had college basketball experience. James is skipping college and has yet to shoot his first jump shot in the NBA.

James says he feels Nike is committed to supporting him throughout his professional career both on and off the court. John Horan, publisher of Sporting Goods Intelligence newsletter says, “There’s no question about it, there is tremendous risk here.”

—Associated Press, May 22, 2003, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and James Sandell

I guess Nike has a “just do it attitude” here and is willing to take some risk. The truth is, none of us can reach our potential if we do not take calculated risks.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.”

A White Christmas for North Carolina in 2010 meant a little extra money in the wallets of customers of a Wilmington jewelry store. The owner of Perry’s Emporium, Alan Perry promised to refund the cost of jewelry purchased at his store between November 26 and December 11th, if Ashville got more than three inches of snow on Christmas Day. When he made the promise, Perry had no idea that a strong storm would pile up 6 inches of snow December 25th.

Perry says he will make good on his promise. He estimates the payout will be around $400,000, most of which will be covered by an insurance policy. Perry said customers will get their money within 45 days. Despite losing money on his Christmas bet, Perry says he’ll consider a similar promotion based on how much snow Asheville gets on Valentine’s Day.

NC snowfall means free jewelry for store customers, http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/29/1892752/nc-snowfall-means-free-jewelry.html; December 29, 2010. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

James 4:14-15 (HCSB) “You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are ?like? smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. (15) Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”

Two men who The Ohio Highway Patrol honored as heroes for rescuing a woman from her burning car have now decided to sue her, claiming they suffered physical and emotional injury during the rescue. David Kelley and Mark Kincaid were driving a truck in southeast Ohio when they saw debris on the road and smoke rising from an embankment. They pulled over and saw an SUV engulfed in flames and several bystanders trying to get the woman out. Kincaid and Kelley were able to get the woman out, though Kelley says the images from the event still haunt him, and that he has problems breathing.

The men are seeking damages of $25,000 each because they woman admitted she was distraught following an argument, and had tried to end her life by crashing into a guardrail. The Ohio Highway Patrol honored the men after the rescue. Lt. Chuck Jones said he still believes the men should be honored for their bravery because the women probably would have died if they had not pulled her to safety.. He added, “That’s the first time in my experience that I’ve heard of people going back and suing the person they rescued.”

--Heroes sue victim, http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-02/news/29842472_1_marion-county-suv-driver-bridge-guardrail; August 2, 2011, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

1 Corinthians 15:30-31 (CEV) (30) And why do we always risk our lives (31) and face death every day? The pride that I have in you because of Christ Jesus our Lord is what makes me say this.